Women in science, engineering & technology

Science has been the foundation of extraordinary social change over the last two hundred years, igniting the fires of the industrial revolution, and introducing a world view that values evidence and enquiry over perceived wisdom and convention. The immense challenges that continue to face us, from food security through energy conservation to disease prevention and cure, are challenges that only science can address. We need the very brightest and best young citizens to seek fulfilling careers in Science, and to find inspiring role models in the scientific community

Photo credit: Getty

tapping all our talents

The issue of women’s under-representation in science has become one of increasing concern over recent years. Although the number of women with STEM qualifications is growing, women working in STEM academia remain a minority – especially in top positions. In marked contrast to men, many women with STEM qualifications do not work in STEM areas and are more likely than men to leave the STEM sector at every stage of the career pipeline. Those who do remain in the workforce are still segregated by occupation (horizontal segregation) and by grade (vertical segregation), and are still paid less than their male counterparts. This gender disparity represents a quantifiable loss to the economy and society, and has an impact on individuals, departments and institutions. At the same time, employers in key sectors are reporting large impending shortages of people with STEM qualifications; whilst the need to grow the STEM sector to drive economic recovery has been well-recognised by the UK government. Essential to this growth, will be the realisation of the full potential of the STEM research base, whose excellence depends upon maximising the talents and skills of all its highly-qualified people.

women in science, engineering & technology group

The women in science, engineering and technology group (WiSE@Lincoln) was set up at the University in 2012 to coordinate and deliver sustained support, guidance, training and inspiration for the Lincoln women in science, engineering and technology. It is also a platform for raising the profile of WiSE academics and researchers, at all levels, across the University.

Professor Mary Stuart

Vice Chancellor

"The number of female scientists in Britain is very low compared with the US and other countries. The UKRC, which supports the Athena SWAN Charter, finds that men are six times more likely than women to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). To be a world-class university, we need to utilise the potential talent of our women and men, so that our STEM areas can build on their strength.

But, there is evidence that the majority of women with qualifications in STEM subjects do not work in STEM areas. Our challenge is not only to encourage women into science but get them to stay. Unfriendly, long working hours can encroach into personal and family life, and the stereotype of ‘it’s a man’s world’ sometimes rings uncomfortably true.The Guardian reports that the number of female scientists in Britain is very low compared with the US and other countries. The UKRC, which supports the Athena SWAN Charter, finds that men are six times more likely than women to work in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET). To be a world-class university, we need to utilise the potential talent of our women and men, so that our STEM areas can build on their strength".

Links

Tapping all our talents

The majority of women with qualifications in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects do not work in STEM areas. This is in marked contrast to men. The consequence is a serious loss across the whole economy not just in Scotland but throughout the UK as well as many other European countries.